Saturday, September 11, 2010

On September 11, 2001, at age 32, Lance Richard Tumulty was one of the victims lost in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Lance was a tender, loving husband, doting father and friend to many. He left behind his wife, Cynthia, and his two little girls, Sara and Caroline. Lynne Devlin wrote about Lance, "Lance loved life more than most people I know. He lived life to the absolute fullest, doing everything from hunting, to motorcross, fishing and skiing. I think Shawn said it best at the funeral though, it was more than that - Lance got into your soul. His enthusiasm was more than I've ever encountered." Kate Hamm wrote, "I always knew when Lance was around because the first words out of his mouth were 'Hey Baby!'" Susan Barricella wrote, "...Lance was a fun and outgoing person, who made everyone around him feel at ease." Lin Miller said, "Lance had the biggest heart of anyone I knew. He had a tough exterior, but when you needed anything, you didn't even have to call. He would help."

He was deeply in love with his wife Cynthia. Lynne Devlin wrote, "I used to love the way Lance looked at you, like no one else in the world existed." Lance's mother-in-law said, "He was a great dad, a great, great dad." From the moment they came from the hospital, Lance adored and cared for his children. Jim Michaels wrote, "We remember the love we saw in Lance's eyes for you and your daughters, but most of all we remember Lance's humor and his ever present smile." Lance's daughter Sara was talking about her father and said, "I was hoping the angels would have brought him back to me, but the angels brought him straight up to heaven instead."

A letter from Lance's college friend:

March 31, 2004Dear Cynthia & girls,

I knew your dad a very long time ago....actually he was my Mom's savior many years ago....

My name is Kristy Brennan (then Rodgers) and I knew your Dad when he drove a black Mustang and played football when he was in college! I can't believe 3 years have gone by and I am just finding this out tonight. I don't know how I didn't know sooner. There is sooo much I want to say - so many of the things are so true...Lance had a way of getting into your heart right away - he would have done anything for anyone ... at anytime - at any point.

See - if it wasn't for Lance I would have never graduated from College. At that point - my Mom was dying from Cancer and Lance would drive me back and forth from Glassboro to Perth Amboy & back again for our games.....If it wasn't for Lance - I would have never graduated (I hated Stats - Economics & Finance) - Lances favorites!!

See - I have so many "not important" memories but things that have changed my life forever - Thanks to Lance & I wanted you to know.

MY mom too is in heaven & I am sure she met Lance at the gates - she loved how big he was & she loved his hugs more than anything.

Cynthia - I remember I spoke to Lance once after you were married (he LOVED you more than anything !) when he called me to see if I wanted a job working with him....we lost touch somehow after that - not sure how ... but we did!

I just wanted you to know how much Lance meant to sooo many people & like you I have a daughter - Emmy is only 6 - and I am sure the girls have his smile!

I wish you the best always & if there is anything I could ever do for you or your daughters - please let me know ....

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

The money quote comes from a commenter below named Java. Java writes, "Love that headline ..... I guess we are now in the 'informal' part of the combat since the 'formal' part is over." That is *exactly* what I was thinking. "Formal" combat ends and we are now initiating "Casual Friday" combat... except... not really. Word from military families I know, it is just as dangerous, if not even more so now. My thoughts and prayers are with the soldiers and their families.